Systems and methods for improving functional hearing

Abstract

Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to systems and methods for improving functional hearing. In one aspect, the system may include a housing configured to fit within an ear of a user. The housing may include a speaker, an amplifier, a transmitter, and a power supply. Additionally, the housing may include a memory storing instructions and at least one processor configured to execute instructions. The instructions may include receiving an audio input and amplifying the audio input. The instructions may include outputting the amplified audio input from a speaker. The instructions may include converting the audio input into a visual representation of the audio input and transmitting the visual representation to at least one display.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A system for improving functional hearing, comprising:
 a housing configured to fit within an ear of a user, the housing comprising:
 a speaker, 
 an amplifier, 
 a transmitter, and 
 a power supply; 
 
 a memory storing instructions; 
 at least one processor configured to execute instructions to:
 receive an audio input, 
 amplify the audio input, 
 output the amplified audio input from the speaker, 
 convert the audio input into a visual representation of the audio input, and 
 transmit the visual representation to at least one display; 
 
 at least one first training regimen configured to be used by a presenter to calibrate a visual representation system; and 
 at least one second training regimen configured to be used by the user to recognize audio signals by correlating audio signals to the visual representation; 
 wherein the first training regimen comprises:
 displaying an initial set of words or phrases; 
 prompting the presenter to make an audio input corresponding to the initial set of words or phrases; 
 recording and analyzing variables including one or more of inflection, pronunciation, and accent from the presenter created audio input; 
 providing a second set of words or phrases; 
 converting an audio input corresponding to each word or phrase of the second set to a visual representation based on variables recorded and analyzed from the initial set; 
 transmitting the visual representation to at least one display; 
 prompting the presenter to verify the accuracy of the visual representation of each word or phrase; and 
 correcting the visual representation if a desired accuracy is not achieved. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The system for improving functional hearing according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one display comprises a mobile communications device. 
     
     
       3. The system for improving functional hearing according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one display comprises a wearable form factor. 
     
     
       4. The system for improving functional hearing according to  claim 3 , wherein the wearable form factor includes glasses, a film, an LED, or an accessory. 
     
     
       5. The system for improving functional hearing according to  claim 1 , further comprising a remote microphone. 
     
     
       6. The system for improving functional hearing according to  claim 5 , wherein the at least one processor is further configured to execute instructions to:
 receive a remote audio input from the remote microphone; 
 convert the remote audio input into a visual representation of the remote audio input; and 
 transmit the visual representation of the remote audio input to at least one display. 
 
     
     
       7. The system for improving functional hearing according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one processor is further configured to execute instructions to receive an audio input from a device. 
     
     
       8. The system for improving functional hearing according to  claim 7 , wherein the device includes at least one microphone, radio, TV, computer, cd player, tape player, cellular phone, smart phone, phone, PDA, musical equipment, game console, hearing aid, or streaming device. 
     
     
       9. The system for improving functional hearing according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one processor is further configured to execute instructions to determine an accuracy score. 
     
     
       10. The system for improving functional hearing according to  claim 1 , wherein transmitting the visual representation to the at least one display comprises wireless transmission. 
     
     
       11. The system for improving functional hearing according to  claim 1 , wherein the visual representation comprises one or more of a hologram, a light wave, an image, a picture, a video, or text. 
     
     
       12. A method for improving functional hearing of a user, comprising:
 receiving an audio input from a microphone positioned within an ear of the user; 
 amplifying the audio input; 
 outputting the amplified audio input from a speaker within the ear of the user; 
 converting the audio input into a visual representation of the audio input; 
 transmitting the visual representation to at least one display; 
 calibrating the visual representation; and 
 training the user to recognize audio signals by correlating audio signals to the visual representation; 
 wherein calibrating the visual representation comprises,
 displaying an initial set of words or phrases; 
 prompting the presenter to make an audio input corresponding to the initial set of words or phrases; 
 recording and analyzing variables including one or more of inflection, pronunciation, and accent from the presenter created audio input; 
 providing a second set of words or phrases; 
 converting an audio input corresponding to each word or phrase of the second set to a visual representation based on variables recorded and analyzed from the initial set; 
 transmitting the visual representation to at least one display; 
 prompting the presenter to verify the accuracy of the visual representation of each word or phrase; and 
 correcting the visual representation if a desired accuracy is not achieved. 
 
 
     
     
       13. The method for improving functional hearing of a user according to  claim 12 , wherein the at least one display comprises a mobile communications device. 
     
     
       14. The method for improving functional hearing of a user according to  claim 12 , wherein the at least one display comprises a wearable form factor. 
     
     
       15. The method for improving functional hearing of a user according to  claim 14 , wherein the wearable form factor includes glasses, a film, an LED, or an accessory. 
     
     
       16. The method for improving functional hearing of a user according to  claim 12 , further comprising:
 receiving a remote audio input from a remote microphone; 
 amplifying the remote audio input; 
 outputting the amplified remote audio input from the speaker; 
 converting the remote audio input into a visual representation of the remote audio input; and 
 transmitting the visual representation of the remote audio input to at least one display. 
 
     
     
       17. The method for improving functional hearing of a user according to  claim 12 , further comprising receiving an audio input from a device. 
     
     
       18. The method for improving functional hearing of a user according to  claim 17 , wherein the device includes at least one microphone, radio, TV, computer, cd player, tape player, cellular phone, smart phone, phone, PDA, musical equipment, game console, hearing aid, or streaming device. 
     
     
       19. The method for improving functional hearing of a user according to  claim 12 , wherein the at least one display is worn by the user. 
     
     
       20. The method for improving functional hearing of a user according to  claim 12 , further comprising wirelessly transmitting the visual representation. 
     
     
       21. The method for improving functional hearing of a user according to  claim 12 , wherein the visual representation comprises one or more of a hologram, a light wave, an image, a picture, a video, or text. 
     
     
       22. The method for improving functional hearing of a user according to  claim 12 , further comprising determining an accuracy score. 
     
     
       23. A system for improving functional hearing, comprising:
 a housing configured to fit within an ear of a user, the housing comprising:
 a speaker, 
 an amplifier, 
 a transmitter, and 
 a power supply; 
 
 a memory storing instructions; 
 at least one processor configured to execute instructions to:
 receive an audio input, 
 amplify the audio input, 
 output the amplified audio input from the speaker, 
 convert the audio input into a visual representation of the audio input, and 
 transmit the visual representation to at least one display; 
 
 at least one first training regimen configured to be used by a presenter to calibrate a visual representation system; and 
 at least one second training regimen configured to be used by the user to recognize audio signals by correlating audio signals to the visual representation, wherein the at least one second training regimen comprises:
 receiving an audio input of a list of predefined words or phrases outputting an amplified audio input from the speaker; 
 displaying a visual representation corresponding to the audio input; 
 prompting the user to indicate whether the audio signals are identical with the visual representation; 
 recording the user responses and generating an accuracy score accordingly; 
 determining one or more sets of words or phrases including certain sounds, phonemes, or other characteristics from based on the user indication; and 
 outputting the audio input and visual representation of the determined one or more sets of words or phrases until a desired accuracy is achieved.